Charles p



G. F. NAEGELE. PASTBNER FOR PICTURE FRAMES.

(No Model.)

No. 481,117. Patented Aug. 16, 1892.

6 I um whoa I Q Vibwema/ 5 0. 4%

' w ld NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES F. NAEGELE, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y.

FASTEN ER FOR PICTU RE-FRAM ES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 481,1 17, dated August 16, 1892.

Application filed April 6, 1891. Serial No. 387,733- (No model.)

.To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES F. NAEGELE, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Fastener for Picture-Frames and for other Analogous Purposes, of which the followingis a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

It has heretofore been customary among artists or picture-dealers to employ nails to fasten the frame to the inside or the frame to the stretcher bearing the canvas or the inside to the stretcher, as the case might be, whereby the parts were very frequently marred or split and sometimes even rendered useless.

My invention has for its object to provide a fastening device which will securely hold the parts together and which will not mar or split the frame, inside, or stretcher.

It consists of a piece of steel wire or other elastic material having one or both ends sharpened and an elastic loop formed therein, so that it is adapted to exert an elastic pressure upon the inside of the stretcher or frame, as the case may be, and hold the same in place, thereby holding the parts firmly together, rendering the painting readily removable, and preserving the various parts from being marred or split.

My invention also contemplates the multiplication of theinsidesone within theother thus adapting any frame larger than the picture to the size of the picture.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a back view of a frame, showing the frame and inside and stretcher held to gether by my improved fastener. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a detached elevation of the fastener. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are sectional views showing modifications in the construction of the fastener.

A represents any suitable frame, B an ordinary inside adapted to fit the same, and G a stretcher of ordinary construction bearing the canvas.

My improved fastener consists of a piece, either round, prismoidal, or flat, of elastic materialsuch as steel or spring-brass-suitably sharpened or screw-threaded at one end a, and then bent at almost right angles to its original direction, forming a loop I), and the other end 0, which when my entire invention is used is sharpened, brought down about to the plane of the beginning of the base of bend, forming the loop I). This loop I) when my entire invention is used contains one or more convolutions or spirals, as shown in Fig. 2, thus increasing the elasticity of the fastener; but it may consist only of a single bend, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. The end 0 may be formed into a small loop or eye, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 2, which greatly facilitates raising or otherwise manipulating such end of the fastener, or it maybe pointed as shown in Fig. 3, with a slight curve upward, forming a lug to facilitate its manipulation, or may be formed as in Fig. 4 when it is desired to obtain a more permanent fastening, the lug at e being eliminated and the sharpened end forced into the wood.

Fig. 5 shows a modified construction in which the end 0 is not sharpened and does not prick or penetrate the part with which it comes in contact; but a similar function is performed and a similar result attained by means substantially the same, consisting of projecting pins (Z in the flange of the frame or inside which act in conjunction with the loop to retain the stretcher or inside in place, such loop pressing the inside or stretcher down upon the pins with an elastic pressure.

To prevent the fastener from in any way tearing or splitting the wood, I may continue the right-angle bend from the point a for some distance, forming a bearing against which the thrust of the expansion of the fastener may act when the inside or stretcher is put in place, thus freeing the holding or fastening point from strain by forcing either the frame or the inside to bear the pressure direct. When several intervening insides are used, those nearest the frame should be of heavier material than those nearest the stretcher.

It is obvious that fasteners of various sizes may be used in the same frame, a few extending from frame to inside, others from frame to stretcher.

My fastener is used in the following manner: The end a is driven or screwed into the wood of the frame or inside, as the case may be, and the pressure or holding end 0 moved into desired position over the stretcher or inside, as the case may be. The resilience of the portion of the fastener between the holding-points will generally cause the point at c to some extent to penetrate the stretcher or inside against which such point bears; but this penetration may be assisted by manual or other pressure. The point at c is thus forced down and caused to prick or enter the wood of the stretcher. The elasticity of the loop 1) causes considerable pressure upon the inside orstretcherand this,i n conjunction with the penetration, which may be slight, of the point a, firmly holds the parts together so as to prevent slipping or shifting or other displacement of the parts. The elasticity of the loop I) also imparts to the device awide range of adjustablility as to the positions of the faces of the parts held together. hen it is desired to remove the stretcher holding the canvas, the point 0 of the fastener which enters the stretcher is lifted out and the fastener turned on the end a until the said point e arrives over the inside, as shown by the dotted lines in the upper part of Fig. l. A similar procedure maybe had if the inside also is to be removed. hen the parts are not attached together, the fastener may be held in one of the parts, the point a being securely fastened in such part and the point at c slightly penetrating such part.

The operation is the same in the several forms shown and needs no further specific description.

I here wish to remark that I do not wish to limit myself to the specific forms shown in the drawings, as it may be necessary to vary them to suit the demands of the trade.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is l. A fastener for use in picture-frames and the like, composed of elastic material and hav ing a holding or fastening end adapted to penetrate or partly penetrate and be secured in the frame, inside, or stretcher and a loop adapted to bear with a spring pressure 011 the other of the parts to be held together, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of two parts comprising a picture-frame or inside and the inside or stretcher with a fastener composed of elastic material and having a holding or fastening end penetrating or partly penetrating and secured in one of said parts and a loop adapted to bear with a spring pressure upon another of said parts and a holding-point arranged to slightly penetrate such other part and in connection with said loop to hold the said parts together and prevent displacement thereof, substantially as set forth.

Afastener for use in picture-frames and thelike, composed of elastic material and having a holding or fastening end adapted to penetrate or partly penetrate and be secured in the frame, inside, or stretcher, a holding-point adapted to slightly penetrate another of such parts, and a loop connecting such end and point and adapted to bear with a spring pressure on the other of the parts to be held together, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a picture-frame, a suitable inside, and a stretcher bearing the canvas with two or more fasteners, each composed of elastic material and having a holding or fastening end penetrating or partly penetrating and secured in one of said parts, a holding-point slightly penetrating another of such parts, and a loop connecting such end and point and adapted to bear with a spring pressure on the other of the parts to be held together, substantially as set forth.

5. A fastening for use in picture-frames and the like, composed of elastic material and having a fastening end a, a pressure or holding end 0, having an eye and holding-point there on, and a loop I), connecting such end and point, substantially as set forth.

CHARLES F. NAEGELE.

\Vitnesses:

HENRY D. WILLIAMS, LIVINGSTON EMERY. 

